Mourinho: Mata 'a very important player for us'

Jose Mourinho has reiterated Juan Mata’s importance to Chelsea despite the Spain playmaker having had a limited role at the start of the self-proclaimed Special One’s second term as boss at Stamford Bridge.

Mata, Chelsea’s player of the year in each of his previous two seasons at Stamford Bridge since his move from Valencia, has made one appearance this term and was substituted against Aston Villa.